By Almira RossAlmira is an anti-ageing and rejuvenation specialist with HOLISTIC LONDON, and leader of the New Renaissance Woman programs.For more information, visit here

“April is the Cruellest Month, Breeding Lilacs out of the Dead Land…” -- T. S. Eliot

Spring has finally arrived! Warm sunny days, bright yellow daffodils bobbing in a gentle breeze, pink cherry blossoms brightening our gardens, and bumble bees buzzing around the delicate blue rosemary flowers. The world is alive and vibrant. It’s a delight to the senses, and a welcome relief after those long, dreary months of winter.

Or is it? T .S. Eliot and I might beg to differ. For some, myself included, springtime was both a delight and a real curse. You see, I suffered from hay fever. Daffodils and some of the early blossoms and tree pollens got right up my nose, and made me really ill. It was like having a bad cold that lasted for 6 weeks or longer. As a child, I thought that’s what I had. It wasn’t until I was tested for allergies as an adult, that I realised what I was really dealing with every spring.

Sore, itchy eyes, runny nose, stuffed up sinuses, headaches, sore throat, coughing, sneezing and generally feeling tired and miserable. That’s no way to feel for a day or two, and certainly not for 5 or 6 weeks! So I looked for remedies, ways to put an end to my misery.

If you — or someone you know — suffers from hay fever, read on….

The best way to treat hay fever, I’ve found, is not with a trip to the chemist to get some over the counter antihistamines. These make you drowsy, and don’t necessarily do the trick. There are far better ways. Here are a few I’ve discovered.

To ease your symptoms, have a go at some of the following, very effective kitchen remedies.

Hot water, lemon and honey will ease that sore, itchy feeling in the back of your throat. It coats your throat so the pollen irritants can’t get at the tender tissue there to irritate it. You might also try a drink of warm milk and turmeric. Turmeric is a wonderful spice with many therapeutic benefits, one of which eases a sore throat. If you suffer from mucus build up, though, use almond or coconut milk rather than dairy, to avoid aggravating your condition.

Cucumber rounds are cooling and soothing for the eyes. Place a round over each eye, and lie back and relax for 10 - 15 minutes. Your eyes will love you for it.

Inhaling steam infused with a few drops of tea tree oil will ease sinus congestion. Pour boiling water into a bowl, add a few drops of tea tree oil. Place a towel over your head, then bend down over the bowl of water, making sure the towel covers your head and the bowl so none of the steam escapes. Relax and breathe deeply. And perhaps the best remedy of all is acupuncture. I had 3 sessions of acupuncture treatment specifically for my hay fever 5 years ago, and have not had any symptoms since. Get some relief!